TACO MAYA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED 2 PREP COOLERS AND COOLERS LOCATED UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT TURNED ON AND NOT AT AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS/PREP COOLERS AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: OBSERVED NO BLEACH NOR SANITIZER ON SITE TO PROPERLY CLEAN UTENSILS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP OR PAPER TOWELS AT EITHER OF THE 2 EXPOSED HAND SINKS AND NO SOAP ONE OF THE WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN SOAP IN THE WASH ROOM AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED SIGNS FOR WASHROOM NOT DESIGNATED "MEN" AND "WOMEN" INSTRUCTED TO DESIGNATE WASHROOMS AND MAINTAIN. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Missing supplies prevent proper handwashing, forcing inadequate cleaning that spreads pathogens.

All handwashing sinks must have soap and hand drying provisions.

Soap in dispensers at each sink; Paper towels in dispensers or air dryers; Supplies maintained during all hours; Waste receptacles if paper towels used.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE SNEEZE GUARD IN PLACE AT CUSTOMER SELF SERVICE SALSA BAR STATION LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SNEEZE GUARD WITH ENCLOSED ENDS AND ADDITIONAL SNEEZE GUARD GLASS PROVIDED FOR THE REAR OF THE SALSA STATION. OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SNEEZE GUARD IN PLACE FOR THE TORTILLA AND CHIPS STATION LOCATED AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SNEEZE GUARD AT LEAST 60" FROM THE GROUND AND PROTECTS FOOD AT TORTILLA AND CHIPS STATION ADEQUATELY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE NOR CONTACT OF PEST CONTROL SERVICE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE DUMPSTER ON SITE NOR CONTRACT STATING THAT THE FACILITY WILL BE RECEIVING A OUTSIDE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN OUTSIDE DUMPSTER AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST THE SANITIZING CONCENTRATION OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST ON THE VENTS AND CEILING LOCATED ABOVE THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED 2 HOLES IN THE WALL LOCATED UNDER THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED WASH BOWLS IN THE WASHROOMS MUST BE RECAULKED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAIR ALL SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED NO BURNT OUT LIGHTING IN THE WALK IN COOLERS LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND A MISSING LIGHT BULB ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED NO BURNT OUT LIGHTING IN THE WALK IN COOLERS LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND A MISSING LIGHT BULB ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.